Search and Rescue safely finds Buff Pass snowmobilers

Steamboat Springs  Routt County Search and Rescue got a call Saturday night about a pair of snowmobilers lost in a snowstorm near Buffalo Pass, and a full crew was able to find the two men safely Sunday morning.

Search and Rescue Mission Cmdr. Jim Linville said the two riders got completely turned around while recreationally snowmobiling Saturday evening. Fast winds and heavy snow prevented the men from finding their way back and also kept Search and Rescue officials from attempting to search for the men Saturday night.

One of the snowmobilers texted a family member to alert them of the situation, and the family member called Search and Rescue.

Linville said one of the snowmobilers was able to ride his machine back near the Dry Lake Campground area Sunday morning, where 11 Search and Rescue personnel and volunteers were waiting, ready to go out looking for them.

“The timing was perfect,” Linville said.

The snowmobiler and the crew then rode out to where the other man was and brought him back to safety.

“He wasn’t quite as strong of a rider,” Linville said about the man who stayed behind. “He had some cold action on his toes, but they’re (the men are) both fine.”